Specifically, we listen for the rhythms of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) which bathes and cleans the brain’s meninges and spinal column. It swishes up and down our nervous system and is said to be the original life force energy. Blockages through the spine or cerebrum are points where the practitioner will listen and gently coax back a free-flowing CSF rhythm. While I am not a certified craniosacral therapist, I love this work and have completed multiple workshops. I continue to practice as I have seen beneficial results when treating clients with headaches, TMJD, and head-based traumas.

I leverage various tools such as my forearms, elbows, and knuckles in order to apply diverse sensations and targeted pressure to different regions of the body. Trigger point therapy, pressure point work, or neuromuscular therapy are all methods that may be incorporated.

I recommend Intra-Oral Massage for patients who are seeking to relieve tension headaches, migraines, and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction. The treatment is helpful for clenching, grinding, painful jaw clicking, sinus problems, head injuries, whiplash, chronic ear congestion, tinnitus, or emotional trauma and chronic face and neck pain. It is an extremely beneficial modality and even helps in balancing the upper body.

This almighty connector is not without its own tetherings and hangups, and often your fascia contributes to postural misalignments and pain. Myofascial release (MFR) focuses on releasing this tension build-up throughout the muscles. Like pulling on the edge of a wrinkled sheet in order to flatten out the opposite corner, MFR can unwrinkle you from head to toe. This therapy improves skeletal and muscular alignment and addresses pain in areas high in soft tissue such as the back, shoulders, or hips. MFR includes relieving iliopsoas muscle pain and its trigger points through incremental psoas release.

Pressure is applied throughout the body to find the injured area, and range of motion/tightness is determined. Filaments, tendons, and ligaments are examined for any tears or breaks. Adeptly moving abnormal muscle tissue through its full range of motion will help relieve the surrounding tissues of any adhesions, knots, or scar tissue, which increases the free flow of blood, lymph fluid, and nerve conduction so the muscle will heal.

Looking for an introduction into healing massage practice? With gliding circular strokes of effleurage and the squeezing and kneading of petrissage, Swedish massage is a useful method for relaxing and assessing the body. This style utilizes soft pressure applied with hands and palms to gently warm the body’s muscles by kneading, tapping, bending and stretching. The lengthening and softening of the muscles releases tension and increases circulation of blood and the lymphatic system, reducing toxins and restoring healthy tissue.

During a Thai Massage session, the client will lay on a floor mat or massage table in loose-fitting clothing that allows for gentle movement and stretching. Throughout the 90-minute to 2-hour session, the client’s body is moved into passive stretching poses that compliment the massage experience. The incorporation of these poses is why Thai Massage is often referred to as “assisted yoga.” During these poses, I will perform muscle compressions and anchoring of tissue with my hands, feet, knees, or elbows. Even though the client is being moved, the massage session should be a slow, rhythmic, and meditative experience.